February 8, 2022

“Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,” 1tim 1:5 nkjv

In the Book of Mark, chapter 6, we read of Yeshua [Jesus] teaching in his home village and that the local villagers (who knew him from his childhood, and they knew his family) were offended at his uncommon wisdom and scriptural knowledge and “mighty works” being done by his hands.

Yeshua said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” mk 6:4 nkjv

Mark tells us, “Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.” mk 6:5-6 nkjv

I find this reference to doing no “mighty works,” a bit mysterious… because, I think when any person lays hands of a sick person and they are healed… wow, that seems like it would be high up on the list of mighty works, you think? Acutally, Yeshua did not need their belief or approval to lay his hands on the sick and heal them.

Prior to Yeshua coming to his home village he had taught the people using the “Parable of the sower.” mk 4:3-20 nkjv As noted above, Yeshua “marveled because of their unbelief.” Perhaps the home town folks unbelief could represent the first example, those where the seed that fell on the ground [wayside], where the birds of the air came and devoured it. (as a side note, some places in scripture, birds are representative of demonic or satanic interference or nefarious activity). Satan is always trying to “devour” the teaching of the gospel.

Why do we look for “mighty works” from the “out-of-towners?” Seems like the faithful local preacher has to work harder at being accepted in spiritual matters. Why is it when someone with a known seedy lifestyle, who gets saved, viewed as a suspicious actor? What is it about the miraculous work of redemption that is hard for people to believe? I knew a person who was an unlikely candidate for salvation, who really did repent and get saved… and many folks scrutinized him for a long time waiting for him to fail. To me, a sinner repenting and getting saved is one of the greatest “mighty works” we will see in our lives. It is truly counterintutive in the natural, because the carnal mind does not want to comply. Perhaps the mighty works Yeshua would have noted would have been for his townsfolk to come to discipleship, out from their religious dogma.

When you think about it, its all about the work of the Holy Spirit, using the willing and available servant to simply do what the Word says and trust Yahweh for the results… it is Yahweh who is responsible for the “mighty works,” not men.

What misguided religious or “institutional” influence has blurred the identity of the Biblical Yeshua and distorted what His true mission is to our world?

In the day in which we now live, more than ever, Yahweh is looking for the faithful and trusting servant who will just be willing and available to let “mighty works” be done through them. Remember, Yahweh gets to decide WHAT “mighty works” are. Too many of us believers have been reluctant spectators too long (speaking to myself too). We need to revive the calling that is upon our lives and rejoin the battle against unbelief… The Apostle Paul admonished Timothy:

“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” 2tim 1:6 nkjv

Shalom... John